Saturday, July 28, 2007

More On Dresden 3

Grave Peril is turning out to be a really, really good book. As I said before, the first two books were interesting and everyone was saying the third was much better. I found out today just how much better. While waiting around at Son Number One's swim meet I got to read several chapters through the middle. The Christian character, Michael, is rock solid and brought tears to my eyes on two occasions. Once when he was talking to Harry in the hospital with his prematurely born son clinging to life, and a second time when he was overwhelmed by a horde of ravenous vampires. He screamed out the name of Jesus (in Latin, which just made it all the more cool) and blasted the lot of them with a Holy power that continues to bring Dresden closer to God.

Despite the swearing and oversexualized nature of the vampires, this is turning out to be a pretty good Christian book. Harry Dresden has said in other books that he doesn't believe in God. Then he corrects himself, it's not that he doesn't believe, it's that God and him just don't see eye to eye. That relationship is now explored in greater detail. What is most impressive about Butcher's writing here is that he doesn't go for the stereotypical, TV evangelist, cardboard Christian caricature. Michael is played straight and sincere, as close to scriptural as can be, given the urban fantasy setting. Even though I'm still not finished with Grave Peril, I can give it an enthusiastic 3 1/2 stars.

BTW, Son Number One got a first place ribbon in the 50 meter freestyle.

2 comments:

To what extent does the Christian character, Michael, resemble the archangel of that name? I seem to remember he went around slaying demons and suchlike.

I'm a little confused. You say that you were touched by the character Michael on two occasions1. when talking to Harry (Dresden) in hospital, and2. when he (Michael) was overwhelmed by a horde of vampires whom he repulsed by calling out Jesus' name (in Latin) and blasting them with a holy power:

but then you tag on 'that continues to bring Dresden closer to God'. No comprende, amigo. Are you saying that Michael's use of the holy power is instrumental in strengthening Dresden's belief in God? If not, can you elaborate?

What particular Christian values does this book promulgate that substantiates your claim that 'it is a pretty good Christian book'? In other words, what would somebody else 'who doesn't see eye to eye with God' learn from it?

Congratulations to Son Number One on his first place. Bet he was doing the front crawl.